Training for the Grand Canyon
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
If you are doing the R3, you may already be aware of some of this. April is the month of choice for R3ers and many others. October also gets a crowd, but it is warmer and the Supai water stop a couple of miles below the North Rim will be open - in April, it generally is closed. In April, 2013, we counted 65 other R3ers on a Saturday, in addition to all the other hikers/backpackers/mules! Doing it during the week is better. For more fun IMHO, start at 10 PM at the South Rim to get to see the Canyon and the night sky during the day and the dark. During the night, you might see a couple of other users, maybe, instead of the mob during the day.
I would also get a reservation at the Maswic Lodge ASAP - its about a quarter mile from the Bright Angel TH. It is the cheapest place on the South Rim, very convenient, and fills up in a hurry for the April runners/hikers.
The South Kaibab has no water, so most runners/hikers go back up Bright Angel for the water stops if the weather is warm. The weather and conditions can be variable in April. In April 2013, the trails were warm, dry, and a bit dusty. In April 2012, it was in a snowstorm, with 6-8" of fresh snow and mud the last three or four miles up to the North Rim. Enjoy!!
I would also get a reservation at the Maswic Lodge ASAP - its about a quarter mile from the Bright Angel TH. It is the cheapest place on the South Rim, very convenient, and fills up in a hurry for the April runners/hikers.
The South Kaibab has no water, so most runners/hikers go back up Bright Angel for the water stops if the weather is warm. The weather and conditions can be variable in April. In April 2013, the trails were warm, dry, and a bit dusty. In April 2012, it was in a snowstorm, with 6-8" of fresh snow and mud the last three or four miles up to the North Rim. Enjoy!!
- Stevo
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
We did this last Thursday and, WOW, what a fantastic run!!! One of the best of all time- I can't wait to get back and do it again.
- siop
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
For a good close to Denver weekday training run I like Mt Falcon its a good climb and not super technical. And a bit farther out (up 285 near Bailey) the Ben Tyler trail is a great running trail for getting in a good climb. If you go up and over to the CT turn around and come back I think its around 20 miles and about 6k vert.
"because in the end, you won't remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing the lawn. climb that goddamn mountain" -jack kerouac
"here is your chance to find your own way. go on your own. be adventuresome. don't forever seek the easiest way. go the way you find. don't demand trail signs and sturdy bridges. don't demand we show you the mountains. see them and find them yourself. here's your chance to get lost, fall in the creek, find a beautiful place." -randy morgenson
"here is your chance to find your own way. go on your own. be adventuresome. don't forever seek the easiest way. go the way you find. don't demand trail signs and sturdy bridges. don't demand we show you the mountains. see them and find them yourself. here's your chance to get lost, fall in the creek, find a beautiful place." -randy morgenson
- Frontrangeskier
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
Sit in a Sauna for 5 hours....
- climbing_rob
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
???????????????????????????????????Taillon75 wrote:Sit in a Sauna for 5 hours....
- jomagam
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
The GC can be a hot place.climbing_rob wrote:???????????????????????????????????Taillon75 wrote:Sit in a Sauna for 5 hours....
- painless4u2
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
Yeah, but it's a DRY heat. Like sitting in a room full of heat lamps.The GC can be a hot place.
Bad decisions often make good stories.
IPAs + Ambien = "14ers" post (Bill M.)
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
IPAs + Ambien = "14ers" post (Bill M.)
In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9
- jomagam
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
Most saunas are used for dry heat.
- jomagam
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
I searched, but couldn't find a page with current conditions on how much snow there is (especially on the north Rim), and which water sources are available North of Phantom Ranch. Does anyone know one, or has experience for late-April early May ? I know it changes, so we'll definitely ask the rangers before heading out.
- Jeff Valliere
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
I have found the most reliable source for information regarding water (and trail conditions) to be word of mouth. There are a few facebook pages dedicated to RRR discussion:jomagam wrote:I searched, but couldn't find a page with current conditions on how much snow there is (especially on the north Rim), and which water sources are available North of Phantom Ranch. Does anyone know one, or has experience for late-April early May ? I know it changes, so we'll definitely ask the rangers before heading out.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/grandcanyonr2r2rrun/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.facebook.com/groups/82250424315/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And also a yahoo group:
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Gra ... ikers/info" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
From what I have gathered, water at the ranger residence near Roaring Springs is on year round now. In the off season, it will be the last reliable water on the way to the N. Rim via N. Kaibab. I have always gone the 3rd weekend in April, where water at the Cottonwood Campground and the ranger residence has always been on (despite the park service stating otherwise at times). Beyond that, not sure when the upper water sources (near Supai Tunnel) get turned on, but have never been available when I was there in April. I always carry a few iodine tablets, just in case those water sources were not available (seemed iffy in 2010 due to problems with the pipeline). Getting water from the creek would only be a short delay. I have also been able to top off my bottles with lingering snow near the N. Rim on occasion.
Last edited by Jeff Valliere on Wed Mar 05, 2014 6:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Jeff Valliere
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
Oh, FWIW, don't bother asking the rangers. They are typically not very supportive of RRR'ers and you will not get reliable information from them (deliberately or perhaps not, depends on the ranger and question asked I guess).
- jomagam
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Re: Training for the Grand Canyon
Thanks Jeff ! Have you ever run into too much snow around the North Rim in late April ?